Dynamic scheduling and channel creation based on user selection

ABSTRACT

A content packaging and distribution system that handles distribution of channels to be viewed on a plurality of consumer devices, receives a media feed and a first programming schedule of a first channel from a source device. An input that corresponds to a user-selection is received on a first consumer device of the plurality of consumer devices over a distribution system, and a media item to be inserted in the media feed of the first channel is determined based on criteria related to the user-selection. The determined media item may be dynamically scheduled in the media feed of the first channel to be delivered over the distribution system to be viewed on the first consumer device, based on the user-selection related criteria. The user-selection includes a first criterion that corresponds to a real time or a near-real time user input corresponding to the user-selection on the first consumer device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application makes reference to:

U.S. application Ser. No. 15/396,453, which was filed on Dec. 31, 2016;

U.S. application Ser. No. 15/396,468, which was filed on Dec. 31, 2016;and

U.S. application Ser. No. 15/396,475, which was filed on Dec. 31, 2016.

Each of the above referenced patent applications is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

Certain embodiments of the disclosure relate to television contentpackaging and distribution system. More specifically, certainembodiments of the disclosure relate to a method and system for dynamicscheduling and channel creation based on user selection.

BACKGROUND

Advancements in the television and broadcasting sector have led to thedevelopment of various technologies and broadcasting platforms that arechanging the way consumers access and view media content. Broadcastingplatforms usually refers to the types of networks that are used todeliver the television signal to the viewer. Currently, all thebroadcasting platforms, such as analogue terrestrial broadcast, digitalterrestrial broadcast, direct-to-home satellite broadcast, cable,Internet Protocol (IP), and over-the-top television (OTT), compete andstrive to increase their appeal in order to gain wider audience. Thetelevision viewing market is no longer exclusively concerned withwhether media content services are viewed on a dedicated television oranother device capable of playing media content. As a result ofpenetration of new technologies in the television, radio, andbroadcasting sector, it is evident that the success of broadcasting willbe dependent on the ability of the network provider to gain access tothe content that consumers demand, and to differentiate their offeringfrom that of incumbent broadcasters or find new modes of contentdelivery.

Traditionally, a network provider (network operator) usually decideswhat content to distribute in the upcoming broadcast year and when toair them. A programming schedule defines what to broadcast and when,ensuring an adequate or maximum utilization of airtime. Accordingly, themedia content is packaged into brands, or organized into channels to bedelivered to consumers. Increased competition has led the broadcastproviders (or the network providers) to differentiate their offering andhandle multiple channels at the same time, which in turn have addedunparalleled levels of complexity. This required installation of largeinfrastructures and resources to maintain uninterrupted content deliveryfor existing channels and also meet the ever-increasing demand of newchannels. Thus, an advanced system may be required that provides thenetwork provider with an ability to not only provide new channelofferings in cost-effective manner but also provide enhanced viewerexperience to increase their appeal in order to gain wider audience.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with some aspects of the present disclosureas set forth in the remainder of the present application with referenceto the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Systems and/or methods are provided for dynamic scheduling and channelcreation based on user selection, substantially as shown in and/ordescribed in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forthmore completely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentdisclosure, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof,will be more fully understood from the following description anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary system fordynamic scheduling and channel creation, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary media contentpackaging and distribution system for dynamic scheduling and channelcreation, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates segmenting of pre-encoded media content to depict aframework for dynamic scheduling and channel creation by the mediacontent packaging and distribution system of FIG. 1B, in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B, collectively, depict a flow chart illustratingexemplary operations for dynamic scheduling and channel creation basedon a user-selection on a consumer device in the television contentpackaging and distribution system of FIG. 1B, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary scenario for user-selection-drivendynamic scheduling and channel creation, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a flow chart illustrating exemplary operations for dynamicscheduling and channel creation based on received input that correspondsto multiple user-selections on a plurality of consumer devices, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for a television content packaging and distributionsystem employing a processing system for dynamic scheduling and channelcreation based on user selection, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Certain embodiments of the disclosure may be found in a method andsystem for dynamic scheduling and channel creation based on userselection. Various embodiments of the disclosure provide a method andsystem that simplifies scheduling and channel creation process, andprovides the network provider with an ability to not only provide newchannel offerings in cost-effective manner but also provide enhanceduser experience to increase their appeal in order to gain wideraudience.

In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure, a mediacontent packaging and distribution system is provided that handlesdistribution of one or more channels to be viewed on one or more of aplurality of consumer devices. The media content packaging anddistribution system receives a media feed and a first programmingschedule of a first channel of the one or more channels from a sourcedevice. An input that corresponds to a user-selection on a firstconsumer device of the plurality of consumer devices is received over anetwork. A media item to be inserted in the media feed of the firstchannel is determined based on criteria related to the user-selection.The determined media item is dynamically scheduled in the media feed ofthe first channel to be delivered over a distribution system to beviewed on the first consumer device, based on the criteria related tothe user-selection.

In accordance with an embodiment, the criteria related to theuser-selection may comprise a first criterion that corresponds to a realtime or a near-real time user input corresponding to the user-selectionon the first consumer device. A set of media items to be presented onthe first consumer device to receive the real time or a near-real timeuser input that corresponds to a selection of at least one media itemfrom the presented set of media items may be determined. The media feedof the first channel may be modified to include the selected media itemto be delivered over the distribution system to be viewed on the firstconsumer device. The criteria related to the user-selection may furthercomprise a second criterion that corresponds to a filtering operationbased on user-defined metadata. The criteria related to theuser-selection may further comprise a third criterion that correspondsto historical analysis of viewing habits of a user associated with thefirst consumer device. The first programming schedule may be modified togenerate a second programming schedule based on the received input thatcorresponds to the user-selection on the first consumer device of theplurality of consumer devices.

In accordance with an embodiment, a second channel may be created fromthe first channel based on the received input that corresponds to theuser-selection on the first consumer device of the plurality of consumerdevices, at least the determined media item to be inserted in the mediafeed, and the generated second programming schedule. A plurality of newdevice-specific channels may be created from the first channel for a setof consumer devices associated with a common subscriber account. Thismay be done based on different input that corresponds to differentuser-selection on the set of consumer devices, of the plurality ofconsumer devices, associated with the common subscriber account,different media items determined for the set of consumer devices, andthe different programming schedules generated based on the modificationof the first programming schedule of the first channel. A plurality ofnew channels may be created from the first channel based on: a pluralityof user-selections received from the plurality of consumer devices overthe distribution system, a plurality of media items determined for theplurality of consumer devices, and a plurality of programming schedulesgenerated for the plurality of consumer devices based on themodification of the first programming schedule of the first channel.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary system fordynamic scheduling and channel creation, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1A, the system 100,comprises a media packaging and distribution system 102 that iscommunicatively coupled to published data sources 104 a, . . . , 104 n,advertiser order generation and advertisement decisioning systems(AOGADS) 106 a, . . . , 106 n, via a network 108 and/or otherprogrammatic means. There is shown consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 nthat are communicatively coupled to the network 108. The media contentpackaging and distribution system 102 may comprise a scheduler 112, asystem for converting pre-encoded media content for live distribution,hereinafter referred to pre-encoded media content converter (PEMCC) 114,and a data storage system 116. There is also shown a source device 118communicatively coupled to the scheduler 112 and the network 108. Anexternal data source 120 is also provided, which is communicativelycoupled to the data storage system 116, and the network 108.

The media content packaging and distribution system 102 may comprisesuitable logic, circuitry, and interfaces that may be configured toexecute code that handles distribution of content comprising audio,video, images, metadata, and/or other data (embedded and/or externallyreferenced). The media content packaging and distribution system 102handles distribution, for example, multicasting, unicasting,broadcasting, streaming, for one or more channels to be viewed on one ormore of the plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n. Themedia content packaging and distribution system 102 may be operated byan entity related to handling or distribution of media content, forexample, a broadcast provider or operator, or a network provider oroperator. The entity related to handling or distribution of mediacontent may also refer to a content owner, a distributor, a syndicator,a re-distributor, a content aggregator, a search, discovery, orcataloging service provider, or any other entity actively or passivelyinvolved with the distribution, cataloging, or referencing of completeor partial presentations of media content. The media content may includea video, an audio, a combination of audio and video presentations, acombination of audio, video, and/or embedded or externally referencedmetadata, a combination of multiple-audio, multiple-video, and/orembedded or externally referenced metadata. The media content may alsoinclude metadata associated with the audio/video presentation, such asgame scores, statistics, or timings, social media,cast/character/credits, geo-spatial data, and/or still-images orgraphics (referenced or embedded). Throughout this document, the termsbroadcast provider or broadcast operator, and network provider ornetwork operator may be utilized to refer to the entity related tohandling or distribution of media content, interchangeably. Thebroadcast provider may handle a single channel or a plurality ofchannels, or one or more networks. The broadcast provider may beconfigured to distribute content via one or more platforms, for example,traditional over-the-air broadcast channels, radio, cable televisionnetworks, satellite communication networks, the Internet, and/or othercontent delivery networks (CDNs).

Each of the plurality of published data sources 104 a, . . . , 104 n maybe coupled to one or more television networks and may comprise suitablelogic, circuitry, and interfaces that may be configured to execute codethat provides actual audiences for programs that were distributed. Asillustrated in FIG. 1A, the plurality of published data sources 104 a, .. . , 104 n are coupled to the media content packaging and distributionsystem 102 via the network 108. The plurality of published data sources104 a, . . . , 104 n may provide actual audiences for programs to thedata storage system 116. An exemplary published data source may beNielsen. Another exemplary published data source may be a publisheddatabase that provides ratings for a media item, such as gross ratingpoint (GRP). The GRP is an advertising or a promotion impact measure foreach advertising and/or promotional campaigns, known in the art. Otherexemplary published data sources may also include direct/indirect accessto other public or private data sources (persistent or ephemeral)through programmatic means.

The AOGADS 106 a, . . . , 106 n may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,and interfaces that may be configured to place orders with the networkprovider that include information about type of spots to be distributed(e.g. multicasting, unicasting, broadcasting, streaming), the number ofspots to be distributed, and when should the spots be distributed. Themedia content packaging and distribution system 102 may be configured toelectronically receive, via the network 108, deals comprisingadvertisers' orders from the plurality of AOGADS 106 a, . . . , 106 n.The AOGADS 106 a, . . . , 106 n may provide multiple orders, which neednot be submitted at the same time. Therefore, orders with new oradditional spots to be placed and any previously determined commercialbreak schedule may needs to be updated to accommodate the constraintsand requirements of those spots already placed and of the new spotsbeing received. In this regard, the AOGADS 106 a, . . . , 106 n mayelectronically book spots to a selling title (ST), and within theselling title there are constraints. The advertiser's order comprisesairing constraints and placement requirements corresponding to the oneor more spots, and each of the one or more commercial breaks comprises aplurality of inventory buckets. The airing constraints corresponding toeach of the one or more spots comprise, for example, one or more ofnetwork constraints, selling title constraints, inventory utilizationtype constraints, allowable date and time constraints, and advertiserconflict constraints. In accordance with an embodiment, when theadvertisements are inserted into a source stream, the advertisements areusually run (or pass) through the order generation component of theAOGADS 106 a, . . . , 106 n. The advertisement decisioning component ofthe AOGADS 106 a, . . . , 106 n is used during a real-time content oradvertisement placement activity, for example during dynamic adinsertion. For example, commercial or non-commercial advertisements maybe dynamically inserted within program segments of a media feed based onthe detected upcoming inbound trigger, signaling point, and/or signal ina source stream by the AOGADS 106 a, . . . , 106 n. The AOGADS 106 a, .. . , 106 n may utilize the programming schedule to identity theopportunities for the real-time content or advertisement placementactivity. In accordance with an embodiment, the advertisementdecisioning component of the AOGADS 106 a, . . . , 106 n may beimplemented in a client device, such as one or more of the plurality ofconsumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n. In such a case, the advertisementdecisioning component of the AOGADS 106 a, . . . , 106 n may identifyreal-time content or advertisement placement opportunity for dynamic adinsertion. For example, commercial or non-commercial advertisements maybe dynamically inserted within program segments of a media feed based onthe detected upcoming inbound trigger, signaling point, and/or signal ina source stream by the AOGADS 106 a, . . . , 106 n when implemented inthe client device.

The network 108 may be any kind of network, or a combination of variousnetworks, and it is shown illustrating the communication that may occurbetween the AOGADS 106 a, . . . , 106 n and the media content packagingand distribution system 102. For example, the network 108 may compriseone or more of a cable television network, the Internet, a satellitecommunication network, a wide area network (WAN), a medium area network(MAN), and a local area network (LAN). Although a network 108 is shown,the disclosure is not limited in this regard, Accordingly, otherexemplary modes may comprise uni-directional or bi-directionaldistribution, such as packet-radio, satellite. Furthermore, the network108 is an exemplary embodiment of a distribution system.

The consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n may refer to end-user devicesor consumption devices where the content is played to be consumed by auser. The number of impressions of a media item, such as anadvertisement and/or promotional media, on such plurality of consumerdevices 110 a, . . . , 110 n determines the advertising impact orpromotion impact and number of actual audiences achieved duringcampaigns. Examples of the consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n mayinclude, but are not limited to connected TVs, connected TV with pairedand/or connected devices (e.g., HDMI sticks, tablets), and second screendevices such as smartphones, tablets, game consoles, personal computers,set-top boxes, embedded devices, or any process/system capable ofprocessing the output for any means, regardless of the capability orintent to decode for media presentation.

The scheduler 112 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and interfacesthat may be configured to execute a code that handles a programmingschedule of a channel. The programming schedule of a channel defineswhat media content should be scheduled, the ordering of the mediacontent during playout, and when to distribute the content. The mediacontent that is distributed may include both the programming content,such as long-form presentations, short-form presentations, news orsporting events; and non-programming content, such as paidadvertisements, public service advertisements, or promotional material.In accordance with an embodiment, the programming schedule may datastructures or file formats capable of being processed by a computer,that comprise a reference mapping of different media content items thatneeds to be stitched by the PEMCC 114. The scheduler 112 may receive aprogramming schedule of an existing channel from the source device 118.The scheduler 112 may modify the received programming schedule togenerate a new programming schedule, where the generation of the newprogramming schedule may be driven by real time or near-real timecontent context analysis, user-selection on a consumer device, such asthe consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n, or driven by external datareceived from the external data source 120.

The PEMCC 114 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and interfacesthat may be configured to execute a code to stitch one or more mediaitems in accordance with the specified play schedule, such as thegenerated new programming schedule, to generate a specific programstream to be delivered to one or more of the plurality of consumerdevices 110 a, . . . , 110 n, based on the defined parameters. Inaccordance with an embodiment, the PEMCC 114 may be configured to stitchone or more pre-encoded media assets stored in the data storage system116 with newly encoded live media sources to create a program stream fora new channel that is in a suitable state (or ready) to be distributedto one or more of the plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 nwithout a requirement to re-encode the pre-encoded media assets beforethe distribution of the program stream of the new channel. In thisregard, a stream could be tailored for a single device of the consumerdevices 110 a, . . . , 110 n, or for a plurality of the consumer devices110 a, . . . , 110 n. The decisioning as to which pre-encoded mediaassets to select for delivery over the network 108 to the one or more ofthe plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n may be based onthe manipulation of the programming schedules that may be done in realtime or near-real time. The manipulation of the programming schedules isdriven by real time or near-real time content context analysis,user-selection on the consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n, or drivenby external data received from the external data source 120. The PEMCC114 may also be referred to as a stream manipulator that may beconfigured to insert live content or pre-stored media content, in anexisting program stream based on manipulation of a programming scheduleof an existing program stream, such as an existing channel. Theinsertion of live content, pre-stored media content, pre-encoded mediaassets, and/or the like may be driven by real time or near-real timecontent context analysis, user-selection on the consumer devices 110 a,. . . , 110 n, or driven by external data received from the externaldata source 120. Alternatively, both the live or pre-stored programmingcontent (such as long-form presentations, short-form presentations, newsor sporting events); and non-programming content, such as paidadvertisements, public service advertisements, or promotional material,may be dynamically scheduled, inserted, and stitched to create newchannels based on real time or near-real time (or with a certain lagtime) manipulation of the programming schedule.

The data storage system 116 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, andinterfaces that may be configured to store pre-encoded media contentsegments, such as VOD assets, live content segments, and metadatarelated to the pre-encoded media content segments and the live contentsegments. The data storage system 116 may also store, process, andgenerate aggregate viewing information based on various data feedsreceived from the external data source 120 and the published datasources 104 a, . . . , 104 n.

The source device 118 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, andinterfaces that may be configured to communicate a media feed and aprogramming schedule of a channel, such as an existing channel, to themedia content packaging and distribution system 102. In accordance withan embodiment, the media feed of the channel may correspond to, forexample, a broadcast feed. In one exemplary embodiment, the media feedmay comprise video feed. The source device 118 may be communicativelycoupled to the network 108.

The external data source 120 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, andinterfaces that may be configured to execute code that handles retrievaland storage of audience data that corresponds to subscribers of theplurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n. The audience datamay include demographics data, audience targeting data, trending data,device type data, device platform data, and content recognition-baseddata, such as automatic content recognition (ACR)-based data. Thetrending data comprises information of what's trending in the socialnetworks (or platforms), such as Twitter, Facebook, and the like. Thetrending data also comprises information of what's trending based onsocial engagement, such as number of likes or votes to a particularmedia item, or number of people watching a particular media item. Thetrending data may indicate an aggregate interest level of a number ofusers in the social networks for a particular media item. For example, athousand or more shares, or likes by a number of users may indicate ahighly popular media item.

In operation, the media content packaging and distribution system 102may be configured to handle distribution of one or more channels to beviewed on one or more of the plurality of consumer devices, such as theconsumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n. The scheduler 112 may beconfigured to receive a media feed and a first programming schedule of afirst channel of the one or more channels from the source device 118. Anapplication server (described in FIG. 1B) may be configured to receive auser-preference from a first consumer device of the plurality ofconsumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n on which the first channel isviewed. The scheduler 112 may be configured to analyze, based on contentcontext analysis, one or more other live feeds of other channels of theone or more channels or pre-encoded media assets stored in the datastorage system 116. The scheduler 112 may be further configured torecommend, based on the content context analysis, a media item to beinserted in the media feed of the first channel, based on the receiveduser-preference. The scheduler 112 may be configured to dynamicallyschedule the recommended media item in the media feed of the firstchannel to be delivered over a distribution system, for example, thenetwork 108, to be viewed on the first consumer device of the pluralityof consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n. The scheduler 112 may beconfigured to dynamically schedule the recommended media item based onthe content context analysis executed in real time or near-real time.The scheduler 112 may modify the first programming schedule to generatea second programming schedule to deliver the recommended media item overthe network 108. The PEMCC 114 may be configured to stitch one or moremedia items that corresponds to the recommended media item in one ormore spots of the received media feed to generate a program stream fordistribution to the first consumer device or other consumer devices ofthe plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n.

In accordance with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure, the televisioncontent packaging and distribution system 102 may be configured tohandle distribution of one or more channels to be viewed on one or moreof a plurality of consumer devices, such as the consumer devices 110 a,. . . , 110 n. The scheduler 112 may be configured to receive a mediafeed and a first programming schedule of a first channel of the one ormore channels from the source device 118. The scheduler 112 may beconfigured to recommend a set of media items to present to the userbased on, for example, demographic data, trending data, previous viewinghistory or past user-selections, associated with a consumer device fromwhich a user selection can be made. The scheduler 112 may be configuredto receive an input that corresponds to a user-selection on a firstconsumer device of the plurality of consumer devices (such as theconsumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n) via a distribution system such asthe network 108. The scheduler 112 may be configured to determine amedia item to be inserted in the media feed of the first channel basedon criteria related to the user-selection. The criteria related to theuser-selection may comprise a first criterion that corresponds to a realtime or a near-real time user input corresponding to the user-selectionon the first consumer device. The criteria related to the user-selectionmay further comprise a second criterion that corresponds to a filteringoperation based on user-defined metadata. The criteria related to theuser-selection may further comprise a third criterion that correspondsto historical analysis of viewing habits of a user associated with thefirst consumer device. The scheduler 112 may be further configured todynamically schedule the determined media item in the media feed of thefirst channel to be delivered over the distribution system such as thenetwork 108 to be viewed on the first consumer device, based on thecriteria related to the user-selection. The scheduler 112 may be furtherconfigured to modify the first programming schedule to generate a secondprogramming schedule based on the received input that corresponds to theuser-selection on the first consumer device of the plurality of consumerdevices.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary media contentpackaging and distribution system for dynamic scheduling and channelcreation, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.Referring to FIG. 1B, the media content packaging and distributionsystem 102 may further comprise an application server 122, a livecontent storage system 124, a media content storage system 126, and ametadata cloud storage system 128. The metadata cloud storage system 128may include VOD program metadata 128A, live program metadata 128B, andaggregate viewing information 128C. The live content storage system 124,the media content storage system 126, and the metadata cloud storagesystem 128 may be provided in the data storage system 116, as describedin FIG. 1A. There is shown the scheduler 112, the PEMCC 114, and thesource device 118 provided in the media content packaging anddistribution system 102, as described in FIG. 1A. There is also shown aCDN 130, which is an example of the network 108, a client device 132,which is one of the plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n,and a user 134 associated with the client device 132.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, the scheduler 112, the PEMCC 114,and the application server 122 may be integrated to form an integratedsystem. In some embodiments of the disclosure, as shown, the scheduler112, the PEMCC 114, and the application server 122 may be distinct.Other separation and/or combination of the various entities of theexemplary media content packaging and distribution system 102illustrated in FIG. 1B may be done without departing from the spirit andscope of the various embodiments of the disclosure.

The application server 122 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, andinterfaces that may be configured to communicate a notification of arecommended media item to a consumer device, for example, the clientdevice 132. The notification may be communicated to seek a confirmationfrom a user, such as the user 134 associated with the client device 132to display the recommended media item on the client device 132. Theapplication server 122 may further receive an input that corresponds tothe confirmation from the user 134 associated with the client device 132to display the recommended media item on the client device 132, andfurther communicate the received input to the scheduler 112. Theapplication server 122 may be further configured to receiveuser-preferences from the plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . ,110 n. In accordance with an embodiment, the application server 122 maybe configured to receive an input that corresponds to user-selections onthe plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n, such as theclient device 132, over the network 108. The application server 122 actsas an interface between the scheduler 112 of the media content packagingand distribution system 102 and the plurality of consumer devices 110 a,. . . , 110 n, such as the client device 132.

The live content storage system 124 may comprise suitable logic,circuitry, and interfaces that may be configured to store live contentsegments of one or more live feeds of channels, such as a live broadcastfeed of a CNN channel. The live content storage system 124 may becommunicatively coupled to the CDN 130 to receive the one or more livefeeds of channels. The media content storage system 126 may comprisesuitable logic, circuitry, and interfaces that may be configured tostore media content segments such as VOD content segments. The mediacontent storage system 126 may be communicatively coupled to the CDN130. The media content storage system 126 may include pre-encoded mediaassets.

The metadata cloud storage system 128 may comprise suitable logic,circuitry, and interfaces that may be configured to store VOD programmetadata 128A, live program metadata 128B, and aggregate viewinginformation 128C. The VOD program metadata 128A may include metadataassociated with media content segments stored in the media contentstorage system 126. Examples of the VOD program metadata 128A mayinclude a media item identifier, a title of the media item, a shortsummary of the media content segments, a short summary of ideal adplacements within the content, a file format, digital right management(DRM), encryption information, length of the media item, a date and/ortime the media item was added to the catalog of media items, a new itemindicator for the media item (e.g., a new media asset that becameavailable within the last 24 hours, last few days, last week, and/or thelike), a media item class, for example, a television show, a cartoonprogram, a movie, a news media, an episode, a game, a clip, a recordedsports event, interactive media, and/or the like. In general, the clipmay be curated or editorially selected excerpts from existing fullepisodes, TV shows, or movies. In accordance with an exemplaryembodiment, the VOD program metadata 128A may also storeprogram-specific information (PSI) data as defined by ISO/IEC 13818-1(MPEG-2), closed captioning data, and subtitles associated with themedia content segments stored in the media content storage system 126.Other forms of metadata may be utilized without departing from thespirit and scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure.

The aggregate viewing information 128C may include audience-basedparameters. The audience-based parameters may include calculated valuesderived by processing of audience data, which corresponds to subscribersof the plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n, received fromthe external data source 120. The audience-based parameters may alsoinclude a path to retrieve a media item, for example, a trending mediaitem, from the external data source 120 or other content servers.

The live program metadata 128B may include metadata associated with livecontent segments of one or more live feeds of channels stored in thelive content storage system 124. Examples of the live program metadata128B may include a media item identifier, a title of the media item, ashort summary of the content segments, a file format, encryptioninformation, length of the media item, a date and/or time the media itemwas added to the catalog of media items, a new item indicator for themedia item, a media item class, for example, a television show, acartoon program, a movie, a news media, an episode, a game, a clip, arecorded sports event, interactive media, and/or the like. In accordancewith an exemplary embodiment, the live program metadata 128B may alsostore program-specific information (PSI) data as defined byISO/IEC13818-1 (MPEG-2), closed captioning data, subtitles, and one ormore inbound triggers, signals, or markers, of the live media feedassociated with the live content segments stored in the live contentstorage system 124. Other forms of metadata may be utilized withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the various embodiments of thedisclosure.

The CDN 130 may correspond to the network 108. The CDN 130 may comprisenetworks configured for distributing media content. Generally, the term“content,” “metadata,” “media,” and similar words are usedinterchangeably to refer to any type of media-audio, videos, datacasts,music, text, images, graphics, articles, photos, photo galleries, videogalleries, infographics, maps, polls, guest biographies, tweets or othersocial media, blog posts, and/or the like. The CDN 130 may be configuredfor providing the plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n,such as the client device 132, with media content via transport stream,segmented streaming, progressive download, or any other modes ofdistributing a multimedia presentation, such as via an over-the-aircontent delivery/distribution network, a linear contentdelivery/distribution network, a cable content delivery/distributionnetwork, a satellite content delivery/distribution network, an InternetProtocol (IP) based content delivery/distribution network, and/or thelike.

The client device 132 may be one of the plurality of consumer devices110 a, . . . , 110 n. In accordance with an embodiment, the clientdevice 132 may be an ACR-enabled device. The client device 132 may beconfigured to communicate with the application server 122, via the CDN130, or a separate communication network.

FIG. 2 illustrates an arrangement of pre-encoded media assets inaccordance with a programming schedule to depict a framework for dynamicscheduling and channel creation by the media content packaging anddistribution system of FIG. 1B, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure. Referring to the exemplary arrangement ofFIG. 2, there is shown a first media asset 202, a second media asset204, a third media asset 206. There is also shown a first interstitialcontent item 208 placed after the first media asset 202, and a secondinterstitial content item 210 placed after the second media asset 204.Each media assets 202, 204, and 206 may be a pre-encoded content item,and may be stored in the media content storage system 126 in segments orother forms. For example, the first media asset 202 may be segmentedinto first set of video segments 202 a, 202 b, 202 c, . . . , 202 n.Similarly, the second media asset 204 and the third media asset 206 mayalso be segmented into second set of video segments 204 a, 204 b, 204 c,. . . , 204 n, and third set of video segments 206 a, 206 b, 206 c, . .. , 206 n respectively. By way of example, the segmentation may beexecuted by a segmenting system (not shown) during a preparation stageof the media assets. In accordance with an embodiment, all the segmentsof the first set of video segments 202 a, 202 b, 202 c, . . . , 202 n,the second set of video segments 204 a, 204 b, 204 c, . . . , 204 n, andthird set of video segments 206 a, 206 b, 206 c, . . . , 206 n, may besegmented into consistent length, for example, 10 seconds segments. Itmay be advantageous to have a consistent and smaller file size ofsegments to be able to quickly push to the CDN 130, and also for quickdownloading by a media player at the end-user side, such as on theplurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n. During thepreparation stage of the media assets, an optimum size (or length) ofsegments may be determined by the segmentation system. Smaller chunks orsegments of VOD assets may be difficult to manage as metadata associatedwith them may increase, whereas larger chunks or segments may bedifficult to communicate by the media content packaging and distributionsystem 102 and also to be downloaded by the media player so as tomaintain an adequate buffer for consistent streaming and playback at themedia player. Thus, an optimal size of segments may be determined. It isto be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may bemade and segments of different file sizes (or length) may be usedwithout departure from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, itshould be recognized by one skilled in the art that other streamingprotocols may require a different processing of media content. Thus, thescope of the disclosure should not be limited to the processing orpreparation of media content to allow delivery using different deliverymethods, streaming protocols, or distribution system, known in the art.Further, instead of the media assets arranged, as shown, live contentsegments may be arranged after, in between, or prior to a media asset(e.g. VOD content segments) or an interstitial content item. Theinsertion of the live content segments may be done on-the-fly based ondynamic scheduling and programming schedule manipulation. The insertionof live content, pre-stored media content, pre-encoded media assets,and/or the like, may be driven by real time or near-real time contentcontext analysis, user-selection on the consumer devices 110 a, . . . ,110 n, or driven by external data received from the external data source120. The scheduler 112 in association with the PEMCC 114 (also referredto as a stream manipulator) may be configured to insert live content orpre-stored media content, in an existing program stream based onmanipulation of a programming schedule of an existing program stream,such as an existing channel.

In accordance with an embodiment, each segment of the first set of videosegments 202 a, 202 b, 202 c, . . . , 202 n, the second set of videosegments 204 a, 204 b, 204 c, . . . , 204 n, and third set of videosegments 206 a, 206 b, 206 c, . . . , 206 n, may be further processed tobe stored at various quality levels, and content encryption modes forthe purposes of adaptive bitrate streaming and Digital RightsManagement, for example, the video segment 202 a may be stored in aplurality of quality levels, for example, high definition (HD), highdynamic range (HDR) video, or different quality levels in accordancewith specified pixel resolutions, bitrates, frame rates, and/or samplefrequencies. As each of the media assets, such as the media assets 202to 206, are pre-encoded, segmented, and stored in the plurality ofquality levels in the media content storage system 126, the media assetsmay be re-used to create new channels, such as new program streams,without requiring to re-encode a selected media asset when a new programstream is created using the pre-encoded media assets.

For the sake of brevity, and with reference to FIG. 2, there is shown anexample of media packaging for adaptive streaming using certainprotocols or streaming methods for at least one delivery method of thedistribution system. It is to be understood that media packaging fordifferent delivery methods (such as analog terrestrial broadcast,digital terrestrial broadcast, direct-to-home satellite broadcast,cable, other Internet Protocol (IP)-based delivery methods, over-the-toptelevision (OTT)), different streaming protocols, or distributionsystem, may be different. The media content may be prepared to be viewedone or more of the plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n,based on at least the desired delivery method, delivery conditions,content protection requirements, to satisfy operational and technicalrequirements, as needed. The operational and technical requirements mayinclude, but are not limited to, media encoding, media segmentation,programming schedule (or manifest) creation or manipulationrequirements, desired media encryption, and/or metadata signalingrequirements. For example, in certain scenarios and for certain mediacontent delivery methods, network bandwidth, network conditions, ordevice-type where media content is to be consumed may not be variable orknown in advance. In such a case, creating different quality levels fora same media asset may not be required. Further, based on differentoperational and technical requirements, media packaging or thearrangement of media assets or other content in a program stream may bedifferent. The media content that is prepared and distributed mayinclude both the programming content, such as long-form presentations,short-form presentations, news or sporting events; and non-programmingcontent, such as paid advertisements, public service advertisements, orpromotional material.

Currently, dedicated encoders, such as physical encoders, are used toencode each program stream before distribution or transmission (i.e.before a distribution of a program stream of a channel). Such dedicatedencoders are not only costly but also limit ability of a broadcastprovider to swap or change content dynamically in a program stream aseach content item needs to pass through such dedicated encoders fortransmission. In other words, if any new content item is to be insertedin the program stream of channel that is to be distributed, that programstream then needs to be re-encoded again. This in turn increases re-workand requires installation of large infrastructures and resources tomaintain uninterrupted content delivery for existing channel and limitsthe ability of the broadcast or network provider to change content inreal time or near-real time. In accordance with the various embodimentsof the present disclosure, the media content packaging and distributionsystem 102 provides an ability to dynamically schedule a media item,such as a pre-encoded media asset, and insert the media item in anexisting live media feed of a channel to be directly delivered over adistribution system (such as one or more delivery methods) to be viewedon one or more consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n. The program streamin which the new media item is inserted may not be required to passthrough the dedicated encoders before delivery over the network 108,such as the CDN 130.

FIGS. 3A and 3B, collectively, depict a flow chart illustratingexemplary operations for dynamic scheduling and channel creation basedon a received input that corresponds to a user-selection on a consumerdevice in the media content packaging and distribution system of FIG.1B, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, there is shown a flow chart 500 comprisingexemplary operations 502 through 516.

At 502, a media feed (or an identifier of the media feed) and a firstprogramming schedule of a first channel of the one or more channels maybe received from the source device 118. The scheduler 112 may receivethe media feed or the identifier of the media feed, and the firstprogramming schedule of the first channel, such as an existing channel.

At 504, a set of media items to be presented on the first consumerdevice may be determined. The scheduler 112 may be configured todetermine the set of media items to be presented on the first consumerdevice to receive a real time or a near-real time user input thatcorresponds to a selection of at least one media item from the presentedset of media items. The set of media items may be determined based ondemographics data, trending data, content recognition, such as ACR-baseddata, preference based data, such as set “keywords”, historical data,for example, viewing history or past user-selections, associated withthe first consumer device.

At 506, the determined set of media items may be communicated to thefirst consumer device over the network 108. The application server 122may be configured to communicate the determined set of media items tothe first consumer device, such as the client device 132.

At 508, an input that corresponds to a user-selection on the firstconsumer device of the plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . 110 n,may be received over the network 108. The application server 122 may beconfigured to receive the input that corresponds to the user-selectionon the first consumer device, and further communicate to the scheduler112. The scheduler 112 may be configured to determine a media item to beinserted in the media feed of the first channel based on criteriarelated to the user-selection. The criteria related to theuser-selection comprise a first criterion that corresponds to a realtime or a near-real time user input corresponding to the user-selectionon the first consumer device. The criteria related to the user-selectionfurther comprise a second criterion that corresponds to a filteringoperation based on user-defined metadata or keyword, and a thirdcriterion that corresponds to historical analysis of viewing habits of auser, such as the user 134, associated with the first consumer device.

At 510, the first programming schedule may be modified to generate asecond programming schedule based on the received input that correspondsto the user-selection on the first consumer device of the plurality ofconsumer devices 110 a, . . . 110 n. The scheduler 112 may be configuredto modify the first programming schedule based on the received inputthat corresponds to the user-selection on the first consumer device togenerate the second programming schedule. For example, a reference thatpoints to the determined media item related to the user-selection may beincluded in the first programming schedule to schedule the media item.In accordance with an embodiment, the scheduler 112 may be configured toalter or extend programming for the first channel on-the-fly based ondifferent input received from the first consumer device in real time ornear-real time, and the different programming schedules generated basedon the modification of the first programming schedule of the firstchannel.

At 512, the determined media item may be dynamically scheduled in themedia feed of the first channel to be delivered over a distributionsystem (such as the network 108, the CDN 130, and/or the like) to beviewed on the first consumer device, based on the criteria related tothe user-selection. The media feed of the first channel is modified toinclude the selected media item to be delivered over the distributionsystem to be viewed on the first consumer device. The scheduler 112 maybe configured to dynamically schedule the determined media item.

At 514, a second channel may be created from the first channel based onthe received input that corresponds to the user-selection on the firstconsumer device of the plurality of consumer devices, the determinedmedia item to be inserted in the media feed, and the generated secondprogramming schedule. The PEMCC 114 may be configured to stitch thedetermined media item based on the modified first programming schedulesuch that the second channel is created to be directly delivered overthe distribution system.

At 516, a plurality of new device-specific channels may be created fromthe first channel for a set of consumer devices. The set of consumerdevices may be associated with a common subscriber account. Theplurality of new device-specific channels may be created based ondifferent input that corresponds to different user-selection on the setof consumer devices associated with the common subscriber account,different media items determined for the set of consumer devices, andthe different programming schedules generated based on the modificationof the first programming schedule of the first channel. For example, auser of a first consumer device, such as a TV, may provide a differentselection on the TV, and another user of another consumer device, suchas a smartphone, may provide a different user-selection for the commonsubscriber account for both the TV and the smartphone to access thefirst channel. In such a case, device-specific program streams may bedelivered based on the differential user-selections although both thedevices, such as the TV and the smartphone, are subscribers of thecommon subscriber account. In accordance with an embodiment, thescheduler 112 in conjunction with the PEMCC 114 may be configured tocreate a plurality of new channels from the first channel based on aplurality of user-selections received from the plurality of consumerdevices 110 a, . . . 110 n, over the network 108, a plurality of mediaitems determined for the plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . 110n, and a plurality of programming schedules generated for the pluralityof consumer devices 110 a, . . . 110 n, based on the modification of thefirst programming schedule of the first channel.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary scenario for user-selection-drivendynamic scheduling and channel creation, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4A, there is shown anexemplary illustrative scenario 600 that includes the first consumerdevice 402 a, the plurality of other consumer devices 402 b, . . . , 402n, the CDN 130, and the media content packaging and distribution system102. There is also shown a sports channel 602 in which a live stream ofa sports event, such as a soccer match 604, is displayed on the displayscreen 404 of the first consumer device 402 a. The user 134 may beassociated with the first consumer device 402 (which may be the clientdevice 132).

In accordance with the exemplary illustrative scenario 600, the sportschannel 602 may correspond to a live program stream of an existingchannel that is distributed to the first consumer device 402 a and theplurality of other consumer devices 402 b, . . . , 402 n. The firstconsumer device 402 and the plurality of other consumer devices 402 b, .. . , 402 n corresponds to the plurality of other consumer devices 110a, . . . , 110 n. The scheduler 112 may be configured to determine a setof media items to be presented on the first consumer device 402 a. Thescheduler 112 may then communicate metadata information associated withthe determined set of media items to the application server 122. Theapplication server 122 may be configured to further communicate themetadata information associated with the determined set of media itemsto be presented on the first consumer device 402 a. The user 134 mayselect one of the options 606 from the displayed set of media items asper choice. The application server 122 may be configured to receive aninput that corresponds to the user-selection on the first consumerdevice 402 a. The application server 122 may then communicate thereceived user-selection from the first consumer device 402 on which thesports channel 602 is currently viewed, to the scheduler 112. Thescheduler 112 may be configured to determine a media item to be insertedin the live program stream (such as a live media feed) of the sportschannel 602 based on the real time or near-real time input of theuser-selection. The scheduler 112 may be configured to modify theprogramming schedule of the sports channel 602 in real time or near-realtime to schedule the determined media item that corresponds to theuser-selected media item, such as a movie 608.

The PEMCC 114 may be configured to stitch in real time or near-real time(a dynamic stitching) the determined media item referenced in themodified programming schedule of the sports channel 602. The liveprogram stream of the sports channel 602 now includes the inserted videosegments of the movie 608, which is communicated via the CDN 130 to beviewed on the first consumer device 402 a. The first consumer device 402may be configured to display the movie 608 based on the provided inputrelated to the user-selection on the sports channel 602 interrupting thesoccer match 604 played on the sports channel 602, as shown. After themovie 608 is played, the soccer match 604 may be resumed. Alternatively,based on another input to switch to the soccer match 604, the scheduler112 may be re-configured to allow the PEMCC 114 to resume stitchingvideo segments of the live program stream of the soccer match 604 to bedelivered over the network 108, such as the CDN 130, to be viewed on thefirst consumer device 402 a. The broadcast feed, such as the liveprogram stream of the soccer match 604 may be unaffected for the otherconsumer devices 402 b, . . . , 402 n.

FIG. 4B is a flow chart illustrating exemplary operations for dynamicscheduling and channel creation based on received input that correspondsto multiple user-selections on a plurality of consumer devices, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIG. 4B, there is shown a flow chart 610 comprising exemplary operations612 through 624.

At 612, a media feed (or an identifier of the media feed) and a firstprogramming schedule of a first channel of the one or more channels maybe received from the source device 118. The scheduler 112 may receivethe media feed or the identifier of the media feed, and the firstprogramming schedule of the first channel, such as an existing channel.

At 614, one or more sets of media items to be presented on one or moreof the plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . 110 n, may bedetermined. The scheduler 112 may be configured to determine the one ormore sets of media items to be presented on one or more of the pluralityof consumer devices 110 a, . . . 110 n to receive user input thatcorresponds to a selection of at least one media item from the presentedset of media items from the one or more of the plurality of consumerdevices 110 a, . . . 110 n. The set of media items may be determinedbased on demographics data, trending data, content recognition, such asACR-based data, preference based data, such as set “keywords”,historical data, for example, viewing history or past user-selections,associated with one or more of the plurality of consumer devices 110 a,. . . 110 n.

At 616, the determined one or more sets of media items may becommunicated to the one or more of the plurality of consumer devices 110a, . . . 110 n, over a distribution system (e.g. the CDN 130). Theapplication server 122 may be configured to communicate the determinedone or more sets of media items to the one or more of the plurality ofconsumer devices 110 a, . . . 110 n.

At 618, different input that corresponds to various user-selections onone or more of the plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . 110 n, maybe received over the network 108. The application server 122 may beconfigured to receive the different input that corresponds to theuser-selections, and further communicate to the scheduler 112. Thescheduler 112 may be configured to determine a plurality of media itemsto be inserted in the media feed of the first channel based on criteriarelated to the user-selections. The criteria related to theuser-selections comprise a first criterion that corresponds to a realtime or a near-real time user input corresponding to the user-selectionson one or more of the plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . 110 n.The criteria related to the user-selections further comprise a secondcriterion that corresponds to a filtering operation based onuser-defined metadata or keyword set by different users of the one ormore of the plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . 110 n. All of theone or more of the plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . 110 n maynot be associated with a common subscriber account. The criteria relatedto the user-selections further comprise a third criterion thatcorresponds to historical analysis of viewing habits of the usersassociated with one or more of the plurality of consumer devices 110 a,. . . 110 n.

At 620, the first programming schedule may be modified to generate aplurality of programming schedules for one or more of the plurality ofconsumer devices 110 a, . . . 110 n. The scheduler 112 may be configuredto modify the first programming schedule based on the received differentinput that corresponds to the user-selections on the one or more of theplurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . 110 n. For example, differentreferences that points to the determined plurality of media item relatedto the user-selections may be included in the first programming scheduleto schedule the plurality of media items for one or more of theplurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . 110 n. In accordance with anembodiment, the scheduler 112 may be configured to alter or extendprogramming for the first channel on-the-fly based on different inputreceived from different consumer devices in real time or near-real time,and the different programming schedules generated based on themodification of the first programming schedule of the first channel.

At 622, the determined plurality of media items may be dynamicallyscheduled in the media feed of the first channel to be delivered over adistribution system (such as the network 108, the CDN 130, and/or thelike) to be viewed on one or more of the plurality of consumer devices110 a, . . . 110 n, based on the criteria related to varioususer-selections. The media feed of the first channel is modified toinclude the selected media items to be delivered over the distributionsystem to be viewed on the one or more of the plurality of consumerdevices 110 a, . . . 110 n. The scheduler 112 may be configured todynamically schedule the determined plurality of media items.

At 624, a plurality of new channels may be created from the firstchannel based on the different input that corresponds to theuser-selections on the one or more of the plurality of consumer devices110 a, . . . 110 n, the plurality of determined media items, and thegenerated plurality of programming schedules. The PEMCC 114 may beconfigured to stitch the determined plurality of media item based on thegenerated plurality of programming schedules such that plurality of newchannels are created to be directly delivered over the distributionsystem. The PEMCC 114 may be configured to stitch the determinedplurality of media item based on the generated plurality of programmingschedules to generate multiple new program streams for distribution tothe one or more of the plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110n.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for a media content packaging and distribution systememploying a processing system for dynamic scheduling and channelcreation based on user selection, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5, the hardwareimplementation shown by a representation 1000 for the media contentpackaging and distribution system 102 employs a processing system 1002for dynamic scheduling and channel creation, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure, as described herein. In someexamples, the processing system 1002 may comprise one or more hardwareprocessors 1004, a non-transitory computer-readable medium 1006, thescheduler 112, a hardware PEMCC 114, the data storage system 116, theapplication server 122, a hardware live content storage system 124, ahardware media content storage system 126, and a hardware metadata cloudstorage system 128. In accordance with an embodiment, the data storagesystem 116 may include the hardware live content storage system 124, thehardware media content storage system 126, and the hardware metadatacloud storage system 128. It should be recognized that, in someembodiment of the disclosure, one or more components of FIG. 5 mayinclude software whose corresponding code may be executed by a at leastone processor, for across multiple processing environments. For example,the scheduler 112, the data storage system 116, the application server122 may include software that may be executed across a single ormultiple processing environments.

In this example, the media content packaging and distribution system 102employing the processing system 1002 may be implemented with busarchitecture, represented generally by bus 1008. The bus 1008 mayinclude any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on thespecific implementation of the media content packaging and distributionsystem 102 and the overall design constraints. The bus 1008 linkstogether various circuits including the one or more processors,represented generally by the processor 1004, the non-transitorycomputer-readable media, represented generally by the computer-readablemedium 1006, the scheduler 112, the hardware PEMCC 114, the data storagesystem 116, the application server 122, the hardware live contentstorage system 124, the hardware media content storage system 126, andthe hardware metadata cloud storage system 128 which may be configuredto carry out one or more operations or methods described herein. A businterface 1010 provides an interface between the bus 1008 and atransceiver 1012. The transceiver 1012 provides communicating via thenetwork 108 with various other apparatus, such as the AOGADS 106 a, . .. , 106 n, the consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n, such as the clientdevice 132 or the first consumer device 402 a, the external data source120, and the source device 118.

The processor 1004 may be configured to manage the bus 1008 and generalprocessing, including the execution of a set of instructions stored onthe computer-readable medium 1006. The set of instructions, whenexecuted by the processor 1004, causes the media content packaging anddistribution system 102 to execute the various functions describedherein for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium 1006may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor1004 when executing the set of instructions. The computer-readablemedium 1006 may also be configured to store data for one or more of thescheduler 112, the hardware PEMCC 114, the data storage system 116, theapplication server 122, the hardware live content storage system 124,the hardware media content storage system 126, and/or the hardwaremetadata cloud storage system 128.

In an aspect of the disclosure, the processor 1004, thecomputer-readable medium 1006, or a combination of both may beconfigured or otherwise specially programmed to execute the operationsor functionality of the scheduler 112, the hardware PEMCC 114, the datastorage system 116, the application server 122, the hardware livecontent storage system 124, the hardware media content storage system126, and/or the hardware metadata cloud storage system 128, or variousother components described herein. For example, processor 1004,computer-readable medium 1006, or a combination of both may beconfigured or otherwise specially programmed to perform the operationsand functionality of the scheduler 112, the hardware PEMCC 114, the datastorage system 116, the application server 122, the hardware livecontent storage system 124, the hardware media content storage system126, and/or the hardware metadata cloud storage system 128 as describedwith respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, and 5.

Various embodiments of the disclosure comprise a media content packagingand distribution system 102 that may be configured to handledistribution of one or more channels to be viewed on one or more of aplurality of consumer devices (such as the consumer devices 110 a, . . ., 110 n). The media content packaging and distribution system 102 maycomprise, for example, the scheduler 112, the PEMCC 114, and the datastorage system 116. The media content packaging and distribution system102 may further comprise, for example, the application server 122, thelive content storage system 124, the media content storage system 126,the metadata cloud storage system 128. The metadata cloud storage system128 may further include the VOD program metadata 128A, the live programmetadata 128B, and the aggregate viewing information 128C. The scheduler112 may be configured to receive a media feed and a first programmingschedule of a first channel of the one or more channels from the sourcedevice 118. The application server 122 may be configured to receive aninput that corresponds to a user-selection on a first consumer device ofthe plurality of consumer devices 110 a, . . . , 110 n over a network108. The scheduler 112 may be configured to determine a media item to beinserted in the media feed of the first channel based on criteriarelated to the user-selection. The scheduler 112 may be configured todynamically schedule the determined media item in the media feed of thefirst channel to be delivered over the network 108 to be viewed on thefirst consumer device, based on the criteria related to theuser-selection.

Various embodiments of the disclosure may provide a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium having stored thereon, computer implementedinstruction that when executed by a processor causes a media contentpackaging and distribution system to execute operations to handledistribution of one or more channels to be viewed on one or more of aplurality of consumer devices (such as the consumer devices 110 a, . . ., 110 n). The media content packaging and distribution system 102 mayexecute operations comprising receiving a media feed and a firstprogramming schedule of a first channel of the one or more channels fromthe source device 118. An input that corresponds to a user-selection ona first consumer device of the plurality of consumer devices may bereceived over a network, such as the network 108. A media item to beinserted in the media feed of the first channel may be determined basedon criteria related to the user-selection. The determined media item maybe dynamically scheduled in the media feed of the first channel to bedelivered over the network 108 to be viewed on the first consumerdevice, based on the criteria related to the user-selection.

As utilized herein the terms “circuits” and “circuitry” refer tophysical electronic components (i.e. hardware) and any software and/orfirmware (“code”) which may configure the hardware, be executed by thehardware, and/or otherwise be associated with the hardware. As usedherein, for example, a particular processor and memory may comprise afirst “circuit” when executing a first one or more lines of code and maycomprise a second “circuit” when executing a second one or more lines ofcode. As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items inthe list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means anyelement of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. As another example,“x, y, and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y),(z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. As utilized herein, the term“exemplary” means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, orillustration. As utilized herein, the terms “e.g.,” and “for example”set off lists of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, orillustrations. As utilized herein, circuitry is “operable” to perform afunction whenever the circuitry comprises the necessary hardware and/orcode (if any is necessary) to perform the function, regardless ofwhether performance of the function is disabled, or not enabled, by someuser-configurable setting.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments ofthe disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the”are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that theterms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including”, whenused herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Further, many embodiments are described in terms of sequences of actionsto be performed by, for example, elements of a computing device. It willbe recognized that various actions described herein can be performed byspecific circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuits(ASICs)), by program instructions being executed by one or moreprocessors, or by a combination of both. Additionally, these sequencesof actions described herein can be considered to be embodied entirelywithin any non-transitory form of computer readable storage mediumhaving stored therein a corresponding set of computer instructions thatupon execution would cause an associated processor to perform thefunctionality described herein. Thus, the various aspects of thedisclosure may be embodied in a number of different forms, all of whichhave been contemplated to be within the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. In addition, for each of the embodiments described herein, thecorresponding form of any such embodiments may be described herein as,for example, “logic configured to” perform the described action.

Another embodiment of the disclosure may provide a non-transitorymachine and/or computer readable storage and/or media, having storedthereon, a machine code and/or a computer program having at least onecode section executable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causingthe machine and/or computer to perform the steps as described herein forthe dynamic scheduling and channel creation based on user selection.

The present disclosure may also be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext means any expression, in any language, code or notation, eitherstatically or dynamically defined, of a set of instructions intended tocause a system having an information processing capability to perform aparticular function either directly or after either or both of thefollowing: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b)reproduction in a different material form.

Further, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the variousillustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, algorithms, and/or stepsdescribed in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may beimplemented as electronic hardware, computer software, firmware, orcombinations thereof. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability ofhardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules,circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms oftheir functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented ashardware or software depends upon the particular application and designconstraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans mayimplement the described functionality in varying ways for eachparticular application, but such implementation decisions should not beinterpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The methods, sequences and/or algorithms described in connection withthe embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in firmware,hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in acombination thereof. A software module may reside in RAM memory, flashmemory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk,physical and/or virtual disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, virtualizedsystem or device such as a virtual sever or container, or any other formof storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium iscommunicatively coupled to the processor (including logic/code executingin the processor) such that the processor can read information from, andwrite information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, thestorage medium may be integral to the processor.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference tocertain embodiments, it will be noted understood by, for example, thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications could be madeand equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure as defined, for example, in the appended claims.In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particularsituation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure withoutdeparting from its scope. The functions, steps and/or actions of themethod claims in accordance with the embodiments of the disclosuredescribed herein need not be performed in any particular order.Furthermore, although elements of the disclosure may be described orclaimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation tothe singular is explicitly stated. Therefore, it is intended that thepresent disclosure not be limited to the particular embodimentdisclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodimentsfalling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: one or more processors in amedia content packaging and distribution system that is configured tomanage distribution of one or more channels that are viewed on one ormore of a plurality of consumer devices, the one or more processors areconfigured to: receive, a media feed of a first channel of the one ormore channels and a first programming schedule of the first channel ofthe one or more channels, from a source device; receive an input thatcorresponds to a user-selection on a first consumer device of theplurality of consumer devices; determine a media item to be inserted inthe media feed of the first channel based on criteria related to theuser-selection, wherein one of the criteria corresponds to historicalanalysis of viewing habits of a user associated with the first consumerdevice; and dynamically schedule the determined media item in the mediafeed of the first channel to be delivered over a distribution system tobe viewed on the first consumer device, based on the criteria related tothe user-selection.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein thecriteria related to the user-selection comprises a first criterion thatcorresponds to a real time or a near-real time user input correspondingto the user-selection on the first consumer device.
 3. The systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are furtherconfigured to: determine a set of media items that is presented on thefirst consumer device; receive the real time or a near-real time userinput that corresponds to a selection of at least one media item fromthe presented set of media items; and modify the media feed of the firstchannel, to include the selected media item to be delivered over thedistribution system, which is viewed on the first consumer device. 4.The system according to claim 2, wherein the criteria related to theuser-selection further comprises a second criterion that corresponds toa filtering operation based on user-defined metadata.
 5. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are furtherconfigured to: modify the first programming schedule based on thereceived input that corresponds to the user-selection on the firstconsumer device of the plurality of consumer devices; and generate asecond programming schedule based on the modified first programmingschedule.
 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further configured to create a second channel from thefirst channel based on at least one of the received input thatcorresponds to the user-selection on the first consumer device of theplurality of consumer devices, at least the determined media item, orthe generated second programming schedule.
 7. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured tocreate, a plurality of new device-specific channels from the firstchannel for a first plurality of consumer devices of the plurality ofconsumer devices that are associated with a common subscriber account,based on at least one of a different input that corresponds to differentuser-selection on each of the first plurality of consumer devices,different media items determined for the first plurality of consumerdevices, or different programming schedules generated for the firstplurality of consumer devices, wherein the different programmingschedules are generated based on the modification of the firstprogramming schedule of the first channel.
 8. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured tocreate a plurality of new channels from the first channel based on atleast one of a plurality of user-selections received from the pluralityof consumer devices over the distribution system, a plurality of mediaitems determined for the plurality of consumer devices, or a pluralityof programming schedules generated for the plurality of consumerdevices, wherein the plurality of programming schedules are generatedbased on the modification of the first programming schedule of the firstchannel.
 9. A method, comprising: in a media content packaging anddistribution system that manages distribution of one or more channelsthat are viewed on one or more of a plurality of consumer devices:receiving a media feed of a first channel of the one or more channelsand a first programming schedule of the first channel of the one or morechannels, from a source device; receiving an input that corresponds to auser-selection on a first consumer device of the plurality of consumerdevices; determining a media item to be inserted in the media feed ofthe first channel based on criteria related to the user-selection,wherein one of the criteria corresponds to historical analysis ofviewing habits of a user associated with the first consumer device; anddynamically scheduling the determined media item in the media feed ofthe first channel to be delivered over a distribution system to beviewed on the first consumer device, based on the criteria related tothe user-selection.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein thecriteria related to the user-selection comprises a first criterion thatcorresponds to a real time or a near-real time user input correspondingto the user-selection on the first consumer device.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 10, further comprising: determining a set of mediaitems that is presented on the first consumer device; receiving the realtime or a near-real time user input that corresponds to a selection ofat least one media item from the presented set of media items andmodifying the media feed of the first channel, to include the selectedmedia item to be delivered over the distribution system, which is viewedon the first consumer device.
 12. The method according to claim 10,wherein the criteria related to the user-selection further comprises asecond criterion that corresponds to a filtering operation based onuser-defined metadata.
 13. The method according to claim 9, furthercomprising: modifying the first programming schedule based on thereceived input that corresponds to the user-selection on the firstconsumer device of the plurality of consumer devices; and generating asecond programming schedule based on the modified first programmingschedule.
 14. The method according to claim 13, further comprisingcreating a second channel from the first channel based on at least oneof the received input that corresponds to the user-selection on thefirst consumer device of the plurality of consumer devices, at least thedetermined media item, or the generated second programming schedule. 15.The method according to claim 9, further comprising creating, aplurality of new device-specific channels from the first channel for afirst plurality of consumer devices of the plurality of consumer devicesthat are associated with a common subscriber account, based on at leastone of a different input that corresponds to different user-selection oneach of the first plurality of consumer devices, different media itemsdetermined for the first plurality of consumer devices, or differentprogramming schedules generated for the first plurality of consumerdevices, wherein the different programming schedules are generated basedon the modification of the first programming schedule of the firstchannel.
 16. The method according to claim 9, further comprisingcreating a plurality of new channels from the first channel based on atleast one of a plurality of user-selections received from the pluralityof consumer devices over the distribution system, a plurality of mediaitems determined for the plurality of consumer devices, or a pluralityof programming schedules generated for the plurality of consumerdevices, wherein the plurality of programming schedules are generatedbased on the modification of the first programming schedule of the firstchannel.
 17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having storedthereon, computer implemented instruction that when executed by aprocessor in a computer, causes the computer to execute operations, thecomprising: in a media content packaging and distribution system thatmanages distribution of one or more channels to be viewed on one or moreof a plurality of consumer devices: receiving a media feed of a firstchannel of the one or more channels and a first programming schedule ofthe first channel of the one or more channels, from a source device;receiving an input that corresponds to a user-selection on a firstconsumer device of the plurality of consumer devices; determining amedia item to be inserted in the media feed of the first channel basedon criteria related to the user-selection, wherein one of the criteriacorresponds to historical analysis of viewing habits of a userassociated with the first consumer device; and dynamically schedulingthe determined media item in the media feed of the first channel to bedelivered over a distribution system to be viewed on the first consumerdevice, based on the criteria related to the user-selection.
 18. Thenon-transitory computer-readable according to claim 17, wherein thecriteria related to the user-selection comprises a first criterion thatcorresponds to a real time or a near-real time user input correspondingto the user-selection on the first consumer device.